Willful Vs. UnWillful Sin

Let's suppose that I am a cop, and also a Christian. To protect the identity of a police informant I tell a suspect that I don't know who tipped off the cops. In effect, I lie. I don't do it willfully, but out of a desire to protect the informant while still nailing the suspect. I'm a Christian who is a cop. Have I sinned?

 

Romans 2...


12God will punish the Gentiles when they sin, even though they never had God's written law. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law. 13For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight. 14Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. 15They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. 16The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message.

 

That's a great response, gekko. Thanks!

 

Lets look at the full passage not just a few verses...

James 2:21-26 (Amplified Bible)


21Was not our forefather Abraham [shown to be] justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac?

22You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.

23And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend.

24You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].

25So also with Rahab the harlot--was she not shown to be justified (pronounced righteous before God) by [good] deeds when she took in the scouts (spies) and sent them away by a different route?

26For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead.
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Also Young literal translation...

2:21 Abraham our father -- was not he declared righteous out of works, having brought up Isaac his son upon the altar?

2:22 dost thou see that the faith was working with his works, and out of the works the faith was perfected?

2:23 and fulfilled was the Writing that is saying, 'And Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;' and, 'Friend of God' he was called.

2:24 Ye see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only;

2:25 and in like manner also Rahab the harlot -- was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?

2:26 for as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead.